Johan Spa Hotel

The sauna was included, and breakfast in the morning had a good range of choices. I found the receptionists welcoming and friendly, and my room was cozy with a roomy, comfortable bathroom. I did have to work out how to set the radiator at first. The hotel is close to the city center and about a 15-minute walk from Kuressaare Castle, so getting around was easy. I only stayed one night, but it was a very pleasant visit.

The spa was a real highlight: a steam room, two kinds of sauna, a cold plunge, and a jacuzzi with powerful jets. Breakfast was also a strong point, with plenty to choose from, including fruit, eggs, herring, sea buckthorn jam, and yogurt. The hotel is near the center, and it’s an easy walk to Maxima, supermarkets, and local shops. The nearby Kalev shop was a nice extra for a short, one-day stay. The room had soap, shampoo, lotion, towels, slippers, and a bathrobe, but the lotion bottle was empty and there was no kettle. You can buy a toothbrush at reception, as they aren’t provided. The facilities felt modern and had some thoughtful touches, though a plumbing problem in my room affected the stay. Fixing that would make this a very enjoyable three-star hotel.

Apart from the dust in our room and cobwebs in the restaurant, we had a pleasant stay. The parking area is very cramped and has few spaces. Also, there’s no one supervising the spa, so loud, drunk guests can become annoying.

The spa was excellent, and £50 a night with breakfast included was a good price. The room, though, felt dated and smelled musty. Breakfast was disappointing too, especially the croissants, which were stale and inedible.